Shapeshifting and variations

[nezzerscape]

So I was wondering how that works?

I understand the visual part, but what about chemically? Would that have the same DNA?

If a limb is severed does it change back?

Does alchemy allow one to identify that wolf as not being a "real" wolf?

Can magics arcane or divine detect it?

etc.

[Fuzziebunny]

It depends on how you do the shapeshift as well as what you shift into. There are spells that give you the look, some spells give you some of the powers, and some spells let you become just like certain creatures.

There are several spells that can show you a shapeshifter, both divine and magical. I am not sure if you can use alchemy however. I just don't know enough about the feat and how it is suppose to work.

[Taintedglory]

So I was wondering how that works?

I understand the visual part, but what about chemically? Would that have the same DNA?

If a limb is severed does it change back?

Does alchemy allow one to identify that wolf as not being a "real" wolf?

Can magics arcane or divine detect it?

etc.

Aha! One of my favorite topics.

Shapeshifting, as per the druids do, is a type of divine magic. One inherent to the world and nature surrounding them. A druid of the mountain may shapeshift into a drake, or a roc. A druid of the sea? A shark, or dolphin.

This is all because of the druids and their connection with the world itself, and the divine favor the gods bestow upon them because of that connection.

That being said, they do not give off an extreme amount of physics behind the idea of shapeshifting, (As per what D&D has always done with its magic system) Therefore we can assume it happens because *Sprays confetti* MAGIC!

I would assume because of MAGIC! alchemy would not do much to discern the nature of the spell, unless ofcourse we go with the pathfinder class, Alchemist, which uses magical alchemy. One can only assume magical alchemy can discover the means of MAGIC! But regular, guy with a burner and some magnifying glasses, couldnt figure out whats what.

As for limbs, you're going into the sketchy grey area of MAGIC! One would assume it would be part of the persons body, and ofcourse, chopping off a leg would make the persons actual leg get chopped off.
I lean towards this school of thought more, as for most (But not all) Animals it makes sense. We has humans share similar enough bone structures with most other animals to justify the four limbs/tail bone/head and neck to transfer from animal form to human form.

Can magic detect it? One would assume so. Shapeshifting is a form of magical spell casting, and I would completely agree that the Detect magic spell, a 0 level cantrip, could detect it like it can detect all spells. But Im sure after the spell has been casts then Detect magic would not pick up anything different.

However, lets look deeper, Divination magic. This shit has some serious head bangers to detect things. (Im going to go into splat books in both D&D and Pathfinder and stuff for this, outside of NWN2s system) Spells like Detect thoughts, Blood Biography, Aura sight, Arcane sight, Analyze Dweomer.

Those things would reveal the true nature. Ofcourse other schools like transmutation and enchantment have a few things of nature to figure out

[LuxA]

Can magics arcane or divine detect it?

There is a level 2 arcane spell called Discern Shapeshifter. I doubt Detect Magic would do the trick since like everyone can use it.

[Fateful Encounter]

If I recall correctly, Detect Magic only tells you that there's magic around; it doesn't tell you what that magic is doing.

[Fuzziebunny]

True seeing will detect a shapeshifter and this spell is both divine and arcane.

[LuxA]

True seeing will detect a shapeshifter and this spell is both divine and arcane.

Really? Did not know this.

[Kitsunestume]

There is a level 2 arcane spell called Discern Shapeshifter. I doubt Detect Magic would do the trick since like everyone can use it.

Detect Magic would identify (given 3 rounds and a spellcraft check) that magic was in the area, and of the transmutation variety (presuming a spell or Supernatural ability. it will not detect Extraordinary).

But really that wont help you figure out if they have Bulls Strength, or are transformed into a a bull.

True Seeing, as Fuzzy pointed out, just says "Hey, show me reality minus the magic please", and will show you the creature's natural form, along with their current form as an overlay of sorts. AFAIK, you won't not-notice that the small hin is transformed into an umber hulk trying to kill you.

I would assume because of MAGIC! alchemy would not do much to discern the nature of the spell, unless ofcourse we go with the pathfinder class, Alchemist, which uses magical alchemy. One can only assume magical alchemy can discover the means of MAGIC! But regular, guy with a burner and some magnifying glasses, couldnt figure out whats what.

As far as D&D is concerned, Alchemy is generally considered magic-based science.
Quoth the text:

To make an item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical equipment and be a spellcaster.
Source: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/craft.htm

Pathfinder removed the spellcasting requirement.


Regarding the OP and limbs, druids get a modification of alternate form, which offers the following:

A creature using alternate form reverts to its natural form when killed, but separated body parts retain their shape

Polymorph is simply an augmentation to Alter Self, which states:

Any part of the body or piece of equipment that is separated from the whole reverts to its true form.

Shapechange does:

Parts of your body or pieces of equipment that are separated from you do not revert to their original forms.

Basically the high level spells and natural abilities actually can change it permanently, but the medium to low power spells are simply a temporary change that ends when magic is removed.

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Data, because Helpful ^_^
Cheers,
Kit